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Welcome to Reliable Maternity's very own blog! We are so happy to have you. Although we are primarily a durable medical equipment (DME) company, our overall goal is to empower, educate and support our patients, their families, and beyond. We have always wanted to provide a safe space for parents to share, grow, and connect with one another. We are a team of women who wholeheartedly believe that there is “no shame in the feeding game.” However you decide to feed your baby whether that is breastfeeding, formula, bottle feeding, we are judgement-free. We think that it is important that every family makes the choice that is best for them and their baby. We want to be helpful in providing resources and insight for any situation! So, what will you find here? The #MoreThanAMotherBlog will be a place with articles and posts on topical information (the stuff we think you should be aware of!), tips & tricks, personal stories, resources from our certified lactation counselors, other experts, and more! Expect this to be a place that covers more than just what it means to be a mother. Want to take this IRL? We engage in community events all around New England and provide solutions for all types of lifestyles. Please visit our community events page to learn more about past and upcoming events. We hope to meet you soon!

Pelvic health has become a hot topic in the past decade, and for good reason. Women experience significant changes to their pelvic floors throughout their lifespans, and we have historically received minimal education about this part of our bodies. Perhaps you have birthed children vaginally and forever sworn off trampolines with your kids. Perhaps you leak urine when you sneeze, but you cross your legs and hope for the best. Perhaps you hit menopause, and have just accepted that you have symptoms of prolapse at the end of each day. These examples are extremely common, but far from normal. There are treatment options available and even ways to prevent many of these issues before they start. They are not something that women have to live with due to childbirth or aging as was believed by previous generations. The pelvic floor is a critical group of muscles at the bottom of the pelvis. They play important roles in sexual health, bowel and bladder function, organ support, core stability, circulation and posture. These muscles are small but mighty, and deserve more awareness and education. In females, the pelvic floor undergoes significant changes across the lifespan with injuries, exercise, pregnancy, childbirth (even Cesarean section), and menopause. Understanding what signs or symptoms to look for, and how to go about addressing or preventing them, can help avoid long-term issues and improve your quality of life. During childbearing years, the pelvic floor is a key player. It is quite literally responsible for supporting the growing uterus during pregnancy, which may lead to weakness or spasming of the muscles trying to support these changes in posture. Following childbirth, weakness, tearing, stitches, muscle spasm or trigger points can cause persisting issues with postpartum pelvic floor function. The pelvic floor also works closely with your abdominal muscles and breathing diaphragm, and the coordination between these structures can be altered after delivery. Women who have c-section births often still have changes to the pelvic floor from pregnancy, and scar tissue from c-sections can also directly affect how the pelvic floor works. The pelvic floor undergoes significant changes at menopause when hormone levels shift drastically. This group of muscles and the tissue at the perineum is particularly susceptible to the drop in estrogen in the body. These changes can lead to increased muscle atrophy, tissue laxity and tissue sensitivity. This often presents as symptoms such as organ prolapse, pain with sexual activity, or urinary urgency or incontinence, to name a few. Sometimes, these pelvic floor changes may be present (though asymptomatic) prior to menopause, but the hormonal shift can bring symptoms to the forefront and impact function. While the pelvic floor is a small group of muscles, it is an important puzzle piece that works closely with the rest of the body. Other factors that may affect your pelvic floor health include back and hip injuries, chronic pain, diastasis recti, core weakness, abdominal pain or surgeries, gynecological conditions or procedures, constipation, PCOS, endometriosis, stress/anxiety, or poor postural habits. Some types of exercise can also contribute to pelvic floor stress if not done properly or if you have underlying pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is susceptible to many changes, stressors, and challenges throughout the female lifespan, which is really no different than any other group of muscles in the body. The difference, however, is that this small group of muscles is responsible for such critical roles, that when they are not functioning optimally, significant inconveniences can result. The great news is that there are treatment options available, and you do not have to live with these concerns indefinitely. Finding an excellent pelvic floor therapist as part of your women’s health team can be life-changing from reproductive years to post-menopause. After many years in this profession, I can tell you that it is almost never as simple as the blanket recommendation to “Do Kegels,” but a skilled physical therapist will assess your concerns and get you back on track to improve your pelvic health. You can find more information from Dr. Kaitlyn Labberton and ReclaimHER Physical Therapy at https://www.reclaimherpt.com.

Let's talk about the PUMP Act and why it's important for you to know about it. The Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers was signed into law on December 29, 2022. This means that although it went into effect immediately the enforcement won’t go into effect until April 28, 2023. So, if a company or organization fails to follow this new legislation there are no repercussions until April 28th. You may have heard of the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law which was signed in 2010 and requires that requires employers to provide reasonable break time AND a private space for all lactating employees (bathrooms don't count). The PUMP Act is a different law, but it was created to address some of the loopholes in the Break Time law. How is it different? Let’s break it down! The PUMP act includes the following additions: Provides the right to break time and space to pump breast milk at work to millions more workers, including teachers and nurses, as well as other salaried workers Makes it possible for workers to file a lawsuit to seek financial compensation if their employer fails to comply Makes it clear that pumping time must be paid if the employee is still doing any work while pumping breast milk Why is the PUMP Act important? Well, first of all, this is huge news for all lactating individuals in general. Beyond that, this is big news when it comes to equity in the workplace. This law gives lactating individuals both proper support and protection. This act is another step towards gender equity in the workplace and allows for new moms who are wanting to come back to work feel that much more confident in being able to step into their role as a parent and not feel like they are jeopardizing their status as an employee. Secondly, if you are currently pumping breast milk you can feel confident in knowing that your employer is required to accommodate you. However, be mindful that employers who have yet to put this into effect in the workplace can't face repercussions until April 28, 2023. Happy pumping! Learn more: https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/pump-act.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2022/12/22/senate-passes-two-bills-for-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-moms-at-work/?sh=6491904633c2 https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-facts-about-the-pump-for-nursing-mothers-act/

Official sponsor of the Falmouth Road Race and attended the pre-race exhibition. Back Falmouth Road Race August 21, 2022 This past August we participated in the Falmouth Road Race as an Official Sponsor. We had a great time getting to meet and speak with so many runners at the expo pre-race day. We were also able to raffle off a lactation care kit. Some of our teammates even jumped in and ran. We had a great time and we hope to be back in 2023! Learn More gallery

Articles and blogs featuring Reliable Maternity and the work that we are doing to support mothers in New England. News & Press Reliable Maternity As featured in... January 2023 “We are grateful and delighted to be partnering with the team at Reliable Maternity,” Deborah Youngblood, Executive Director of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast said." January 2023 "Lisa Falkson, a Certified Lactation Counselor at Reliable Maternity and mother of five, wanted to combine her interest in health and fitness with the company’s desire to give back to the community." January 2023 "...we’re empowering women to be active and not let anything hold you back. There’s a way to figure things out. And we’re glad we can help with that,” said Falkson." December 2022 "....we couldn’t do the work we do without partners like Reliable Maternity and we certainly couldn’t do it without the incredible women who so selflessly give the gift of their milk, time and energy to help babies in need." June 2022 "Conventures, Inc. today proudly announced that Reliable Maternity will become the official Breast Pump Partner of the 46th running of the Boston 10K for Women, presented by REI Co-op."

Frequently Asked Questions Getting started Breast pump care Ordering a pump Pump parts and supplies Do I really need a pump? Only you can decide that. Everyone's situation is unique, so it is important to evaluate your lifestyle and needs. Will you be going out or working outside of your home after the baby is born? If yes, and you are planning on continuing to breast feed, then a pump would be a must-have. This is because it will allow you to prevent painful engorgement and maintain your supply to meet your baby's needs. Pumps can also be helpful to maintain your supply, Sometimes your baby may not nurse, or you may be dealing with an illness or medication that isn't safe for breastfeeding. How do I know which pump is right for me? There is no "wrong" answer. While there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" pump, there are several pumps available that will accommodate your needs. With that being said, there are still some things you will want to consider to help determine what is right for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself (the order of importance depends on your lifestyle and needs): Your needs and lifestyle - Will you need portability? Is discreet pumping needed? Loudness - Does the noise level matter? Pumps are generally quiet, but some are quieter than others. Price point - what is the maximum you wish to spend? Which pumps will your insurance cover? Comfort - Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. What is comfortable for some is not for others. Does the pump you like offer a variety of flange sizes? Time - How much time will you have for your pumping sessions? How long you breastfeed and pump depends on your unique situation. Strength and Variability - While all pumps serve the same function, many pumps offer a variety of settings to assist with speed, comfort, and ease of use. When do I start pumping? This will vary depending on the situation, but it is recommended to wait until you and the baby have become comfortable with breast feeding (often around four weeks old). If your baby is having trouble with breastfeeding, is in the NICU, or you wish to pump exclusively, then there is no need to wait. Ultimately, it will depend on what is best for you and your baby. Will it hurt? You may feel a little uncomfortable when starting out (about 10-15 seconds) as your nipples start to stretch, but pumping should not hurt. You may experience some tenderness of the nipple especially as your milk releases (or "let's down"). If you experience pain you should pause, check to make sure the sizing is correct and try a lower setting. If the pain continues, it is best to reach out for a consult. Someone gave me their pump, is it okay to use? Bacteria and viruses from the previous owner could get trapped inside the pump. This could be potentially hazardous to your baby's health, even with repeated sterilization. The only pumps that can be shared safely are those labeled "Hospital Grade Multi User." For these pumps each user needs their own sterile kit which contains tubing and collection bottles. We do not recommend borrowing or using someone else's personal pump, unless it is still sealed in its original packaging.